New learning technology features are arriving for Fall 2026. Read on for updates to Turnitin, Kaltura, PlayPosit, ProctorU, Respondus, and Canvas—including tools that support responsible AI use, accessibility, assessment, and student engagement.
At a glance: Turnitin adds Clarity, multipart assignments, and an updated Feedback Studio; Kaltura gains accessibility enhancements; ProctorU offers easier exam setup; and PlayPosit, Respondus, and Canvas introduce new teaching and learning features.
Turnitin
Turnitin has three new features available: Clarity, Multipart Assignments and a redesigned Feedback Studio!!!!!
Clarity is a new AI assistant that lets instructors set boundaries for student AI use within an LMS assignment. Instructors can review writing playback, AI chat summaries and prompt history, writing and integrity reports, and grading and feedback tools.
Multipart Assignments allow instructors to create assignments with multiple due dates and connected assignments that build on each other. The Clarity functionalities of writing playback, AI chat controls and actionable insights are also available with multipart assignments.
The redesigned Feedback Studio integrates the Turnitin functionality with the Canvas Speedgrader.
Come to our workshop on these new features on Wednesday, September 2nd from 10am-noon. Register for the Turnitin workshop.
Kaltura My Media
Kaltura, UAB’s academic video repository, will have an updated theme with new accessibility features! The look and feel of My Media, Media Gallery in Canvas will be updated for the Fall 2026 semester on August 18th. The new theming will include user-selectable light, dark and high contrast themes. Video owners and editors will be able to upload audio description files as well as create and edit extended audio descriptions. Existing Kaltura content, including embeds, channels, video quizzes and media galleries will continue to function as before with no changes.
Playposit
PlayPosit turns passive video watching into an active experience! Upload local media or use Kaltura or YouTube videos with PlayPosit to create embedded tasks such as video quizzes, polls and discussions. PlayPosit has been upgraded for Fall 2026 with default grade synchronization, improved embedding support and enhanced security.
ProctorU
ProctorU has made several improvements over the summer for both test-takers and instructors. The instructor process has been streamlined with the new version (LTI 1.3). When setting up an exam with ProctorU through Canvas, much of the information, such as class name, department, term, and exam availability dates are pulled directly from Canvas with an option to customize before confirmation. The previous ProctorU process outside of Canvas is still available, so we have the best of both worlds. The student experience has been improved in two main ways: smoothing out the student exam launch process for exam day and an improved Test it Out process prior to exam day.
Respondus
Respondus Lockdown Browser now allows instructors to require a second camera. Instructors can also allow test-takers to use Microsoft Excel or Word during their examination.
Canvas
There are four changes in Canvas including a new notetaking method for students, additional dashboard customization options for students, an enhanced Canvas Portfolio tool, and a way for students, faculty, and staff to report accessibility concerns.
Notebook gives learners a built-in method to take notes directly in Canvas. This provides a more connected learning environment, as students can use Notebook to make highlights and comments on Canvas course pages that are visible only to that student.
The Canvas Dashboard is now more customizable than before. Learners can choose to add widgets to their dashboard for: upcoming course work, announcements, grades, to-do list, people, and recent grades or feedback.
Canvas has released an Enhanced Canvas Portfolio tool that has replaced ePortfolio and Folio. The new Portfolio tool combines the ePortfolium benefits of multiple portfolios per user with robust features of Folio to allow multi-user collaboration and tagging.
All course menus now contain an item titled Report an Accessibility Concern. This link will open the Report an Accessibility Concern form where students and faculty can report concerns with digital or physical accessibility. Submissions are sent to Marketing and Communications or Disability Support Services, depending on the concern. In keeping with our Title II accessibility initiative, it is important that students can notify someone if there is a barrier to access UAB resources in Canvas, on other websites, or on campus. Please do not remove this from your courses as this may be the only place students see the link.